So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) How To Upgrade To The GoHighLevel Unlimited Plan.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving everything under one roofing seems like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You need to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to love the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How To Upgrade To The GoHighLevel Unlimited Plan.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not act or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too hard to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.